Shoestring-fastener.



PATENTED AUG. 22, 1905 M. I. PARKER.

SHOBSTRING FASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED THE. 8, 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1905.

Application filed February 6; 1905. Serial No. 244,439.

To all whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that I, MARY I. PARKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Ray and State of Mis souri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoestring-Fasteners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in shoestring-fasteners of that class which are adapted to clasp the knot or how formed at the ends of the strings after the shoe has been laced to prevent the strings from becoming untied and the shoe unlaced.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of this character which will be simple in construction, efficient and durable in use, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

WVith the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully described, alnd particularly pointed out in the appended c aim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a view showing my improved clasp or fastener in use, the same being applied to the upper portion of a shoe. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the clasp or fastener in its open position. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View of the same, and Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively transverse and longitudinal sectional views.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 denotes my improved shoestring clasp or fastener, which is connected to a shoe-upper 2 by a yielding connecting-tab 3, formed, preferably, of rubber. The clasp or fastener 1 comprises a body 4 of three-sided rectangular form and of sutficient size to receive a knot or bow 5, formed by the ends of the shoe strings or laces. To the upper side 6 of the body 4 is hingedly connected, as shown at 7, a jaw 8, which is adapted to form the fourth side of the rectangular body and clamp the bow or knot 5 within the same. Said jaw has upon its inner face a series of spurs or teeth 9, which when the jaw is in its closed position are adapted to engage or bite the bow 5 to retain the same within the body I. These teeth 9 may be of any desired form and secured to the jaw in any desired manner; but, as shown, they are in the form of headed pins or studs which are passed through a plate 10, which is secured upon the inner face of the jaw 8 by bending the edges 11 of the latter inwardly over said plate 10, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings. In order to secure the jaw 8 in its closed position, I provide upon the center of its outer edge a pivoted catch 12, which is formed of resilient wire bent to provide a hook 13. Said hook 13 is adapted to be engaged with a headed stud or pin 14, provided upon the body portion 4, as shown.

The use and advantages of my invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. after the shoe has been laced and the strings have been tied into a knot or how the same is inserted in the body portion at of the fastener, and its jaw 8 is then swung downwardly and secured by the resilient hook 13, the teeth 9 of said jaw. engaging the bow to retain the latter within the fastener.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

The herein described shoestring fastener consisting of a clasp having a rectangular body portion provided with open ends and right angular side flanges, a jaw member hinged to one of said flanges, said jaw member consisting of a plate secured in place by flanges on the jaw member, and provided with a series of headed pins projecting through the plate at the inner face of said jaw member, the heads of said pins bearing against the outer plate of said jaw member, a hook pivotally connected centrally to said jaw memher, a headed stud on said body portion adapted to be engaged by said hook, and said shoestring-fastener being secured to the upper of a shoe by means of an elastic band, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof Ihavc hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARY 1'. PARKER.

l/Vitnesses:

IRMA PARKER, FRANK D. GARNER.

It will be seen that 

